Printing and calculating machine controlled by label supplying devices



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GER/MED Tammi/5R He m/ UL 114 frJTZNEIS Oct. 14. 1969 s. RETHMEIER PRINTING AND CALCULATING MACHINE CONTROLLED BY LABEL SUPPLYING DEVICES Filed'June 6, 1968 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 lnvenfor: @FRHARD FPEr HLE-f? Ha 14 United States Patent U.S. Cl. 235-6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a labeling machine and the like and refers more particularly to a device for operating machines which can produce individual labels as well as series of labels individually or in bands. The invention is particularly concerned with means operating a labeling machine constructed as a special machine for treating individual labels with a manually operable release of each individual machine operation and also for treating individual labels or series of labels in bands with an automatic release of the required sequence of machine operations, whereby the number of labels to be delivered is set in advance by a special counter.

This patent application pertaining to a labeling machine is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending patent application field Dec. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 604,828 (now abandoned.)

An object of the present invention is to substantially simplify the operation of a labeling machine of the described type and to increase its efiiciency.

Another object is to provide exchangeable label supplying devices which carry out adjustments for the various operational functions of the machine when treating various types of labels.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of the objectives of the present invention it was found desirable to provide a device for operating labeling machines and the like which is used for initiating the various machine operations, for selecting the calculating works and for actuating the label moving and printing means, the device being characterized by the feature that the actuation of different types of machine operations and the release of individuals or series of machine operations is produced by actuating means which are actuated by exchangeable label supplying devices.

The operating device of the present invention greatly simplifies the actuating bank of keys, since the fact that the label supplying devices take over the operating functions provides a saving in the number of keys and also results in the greatest possible operational safety when the machine is switched to labels of other types, since the possibility of operational errors is completely eliminated.

A further feature of the present invention consists in that the label supplying device for individual labels is provided with a switching device actuated by the moving label for switching on actuating devices for individual and sequential operations, the label supplying device being also provided with means actuating the required sequence of machine operations.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention label supplying devices are provided which include actuating means for releasing a sequence of different machine operations in combination with a device actuated by a special counter.

A further feature of the present invention consists in 3,472,447 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 that several devices are provided for supplying band-like single and multiple labels, such devices having actuating means operable in combination with a counter actuated device, a locking device and an operation-selecting machine for releasing and actuating the dilferent operations.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a labeling machine.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the key bank of this machine.

FIGURE 3 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating a label supplying device for individual labels.

FIGURE 4 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating a label supplying device for a series of labels.

FIGURE 5 is a side view, partly in section, of a somewhat ditferently constructed label supplying device for a series of labels.

FIGURE 6 is a front view of a device supplying individual labels.

FIGURE 7 is a side view illustrating the contact and switch levers of the operating device of the machine.

FIGURE 8 is a side view of a blocking device constituting a part of the operating device of the machine.

FIGURE 9 is a side view of a switch lever constituting a part of the operating device of the machine.

FIGURE 10 is a side view of the operating device.

FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating a part of the operating device.

FIGURES 11a and 11b show other parts of that device.

FIGURE 12 is a front view of a differently constructed label supplying device.

FIGURE 13 is a lateral view of the control device.

FIGURE 14 is a lateral view showing the machine drive.

FIGURE 15 is a section through the key bank.

FIGURE 16 is a section through the printing device.

The labeling machine shown in its entirely in FIG. 1 has a key bank 1 having rows of amount keys 2 with value-indicating keys 3 (FIG. 2) and a row 4 of control keys including a release key 5, a discharge key 6, a key 7, a key 8 as well as selecting keys 9 to 12 for the adding device. The key 6 serves to return the previously actuated keys to their initial positions. The key 7 serves to introduce an amount set by actuating keys in the amount key bank 2 into an adding device cooperating with the key 7, whereby this amount if necessary, can be used for printing. The key 8 is used in combination with the keys 3 to introduce a constant value into another adding device from which this value can be taken by subtotalling during the printing procedure.

A switch lever 13 (FIG. 1) is located above the key bank 1 and is used for switching on and off a counter 14 which has three positions and which is set by a small hand wheel 15. Another setting device provided with a hand wheel 16 is used to set other data required for the printing of labels. The casing of the machine is provided with a window 17 enabling the operator to see the control strip and to adjust it by means of a hand wheel 18.

The present invention is not concerned with the cal,- culating and printing devices actuated by the keys by means of an operating device, nor is it concerned with devices for moving the control strip and other guides. These devices are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 3,181,784 belonging to the same assignee.

The labeling machine of the present invention is provided with exchangeable label supplying devices 19, 29 and 21 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. These devices make it possible to use the labeling machine for 3 providing single labels 22 (FIG. 6) or series of labels 23 (FIG. 12) either individually or in bands.

The supplying device 19 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 is used to deliver single labels 22 each consisting of one piece. The device 19 includes a casing 28, provided with cut out portions 24 and 25 as well as stops 26 and 27. The casing 28 has an inlet 31 and quide metal sheets 29 and 30 which are curved outwardly funnel-like at the inlet so as to facilitate the supply of single labels 22. In case of labels requiring only one printing, one of the cutout portions or windows 24 and 25 is covered so that a hammer striking through that Window will have no effect.

After a label 22 has been introduced into the casing and while the machine is in operation, the label is hit by short blows by hammers through the openings 24 and 25 against the printing type of the printing device in a manner described in our co-pending patent application Ser. No. 629,305, filed Apr. 7, 1967. Thus the printing takes place by the printing type of the printing device DR under which are located the pressure hammers shown by broken lines in FIG. 1. The printing is accomplished by an upward movement of the pressure hammers through the slots 24, 25 against the printing types, thus printing a label 22 or 23 located between the types and the hammers. Labels 23 shown in FIG. 1 are complete when they are introduced into the machine and are not subjected to any changes in shape therein but merely to printing. They taere introduced automatically and can be printed twice or four times, i.e. upon two or four locations. The adding procedure is also described in aforesaid Patent No. 3,- 181,784 and takes place in the same manner as in the usual adding and entering machines.

The inner edge 32 of the label 22 strikes within the casing a contact lever 34 shown in FIG. 7. The lever 34 is mounted upon a pin 33 carried by the casing 28 and carries a bolt 35 which extends through an elongated opening 36 provided in the casing 28 (FIG. 6). A switch lever 37 (FIG. 7) which is connected with a spring engages the lever 34 and is rotatably mounted upon a pin 39. The pin 39 is mounted in the machine casing. The lever 37 has a contact section '40 adapted to engage a microswitch 41. The microswitch 41 is used to provide a circuit for single or multiple runs of the machine for single or double printing. The microswitch 41 closes the circuit of a magnet 42 shown in FIG. 8 and having an armature connected by a link 43 with an angular lever 44. A rod 45 is pivotally connected with the lever 44 and is also connected with a blocking segment 46 rotatably mounted upon an axle 47 and constituting a part of a blocking device.

Such a blocking device is known per se and is described, for example, in German Patent No. 964,905.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet side of the machine casing 38 is connected with a saw-like toothed extension 48 having an outer surface 49 and ending in a notch 50. A roller 51 located in the notch is carried by a switch lever 52 (FIG. 9) keyed upon a switch shaft 53. The lever 52 has an extension 54 connected to a spring 55 which is attached to the machine casing and which normally holds the lever 52 in the position E (FIG. 10).

The machine casing 38 carries bolts 57 and 58 which receive and hold the supplying device 19. After the supplying device 19 has been moved to its operative position, it is held by stops. At the time of the insertion of the supplying device 19, the roller 51 and the switch lever 52 are held in the position E by the notch 50. The shaft 53 is not turned during this procedure. The shaft 53 also carries a lever 59 which is fixed thereon and which is connected with a bar 60. The bar 60 is connected with an angular lever 61 which is connected with a bar 62 connected with a clamping lever 64 fixed upon a shaft 63. Thus the lever 59 actuates the lever 64. Another clamping lever 65 is also fixed upon the shaft 63 and is operatively connected through a link 66 and a lever 67 with a switch shaft 68. A clamping lever 69 is fixed upon the shaft 68 and is pivotally connected by a connecting link 70 with a blocking segment 71 mounted upon the axle 47. The segment 71 has a curved operative portion 73 provided with three rectangular teeth 74, 75 and 76 which cooperate with switch elements 77, 78, and 79. A switch element 80 is not effected by the blocking device 71 but is engaged by'a tooth 81 (FIG. 8) of the above described blocking segment 46. The segment 46 has a second tooth 82 cooperating with the switch element 78.

A lever 83 is keyed upon the above described shaft 68 (FIG. 10) and has a contact portion 84 cooperating with a switch 85 used for actuating a perforating device. The purpose of the switch 85 is to prepare the electrical circuits for the remotely operated perforating device. Only when this switch is closed, it is possible to electrically energize the perforating punches of the perforating device by means of switches representing different valves. This perforating device is described in detail in aforesaid patent application Ser. No. 629,305, filed Apr. 7, 1967.

A connecting rod 86 is pivotally connected with the lever 83 and is also connected with an angular locking lever 87 which is rotatably mounted upon an axle 88 and is provided with a cranked stop 89 cooperating with a stop 90 of a switch slide 91. The slide 91 is known per se and is provided with an eyelet 92 having a pin 93 from which a link 94 is suspended. The link 94 is in driving connection with a test lever 95 of a differential mechanism 96 which constitutes a mechanical coupling and is described in detail in Reissue Patent Re 25,431 of Aug. 6, 1963, belonging to the same assignee. The lever 95 of the differential mecahnism 96 is also pivotally connected With a connecting rod which is attached to an angular lever 136 (FIG. 13). The lever or plate 136 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 137 and is also pivotally connected with a further connecting rod 138 which is used to set a gear segment 140 mounted upon a shaft 139.

The gear segment 140 meshes with a pinion 141 used to operate an adding and selecting device which is described in detail in Patent No. 3,181,784 belonging to the same assignee. The gear segment 140 also meshes with a gear wheel 142 which is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 143 and is firmly connected with a curved disc 144. The disc 144 is used to set a pin 145 carried by a lever 146 which is 'rotatably mounted upon a shaft 147 and which carries a pin 148 engaged by a spring 149. The pin 148 extends through an end portion of a rod 150 the other end of which is connected with a coupling pin 151 which is firmly connected to a lever 153 rotatably mounted upon a pin 152. The coupling pin 151 cooperates, depending upon its setting, with one of the three swinging levels 154, 155 or 156, which are rotatably mounted upon a shaft 157 and which carry stops 158, 159 and 160, respectively; one of these stops engages the pin 151 in a specific coupled position. The levers 154, 155, 156 are located one below the other and are provided with rollers 161 and 162 which cooperate with pairs of curved discs 164, and 166 fixed upon the main shaft 163 of the machine. The pairs of curved discs 164, 165 and 166 differ in shape and are used to actuate the operations addition," intermediate sum and final sum. The stops 158, 159 and 160 are adapted to the width of the rectangular coupling pin 151 and are connected with their swinging levers 154, 155 and 156 in such manner that only the selected swinging lever can actuate the coupling pin 151. The pin 151 operates the selected calculating devices according to set operations by means described in detail in the aforesaid patent.

The blocking device shown in FIG. 14 has a shaft 170 actuated by the switch elements 77, 78, 79 and 80. The shaft 170 has a stop 171 cooperating with a switching segment 172 which is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 173 and carries a pin 174. A spring 175 and a guide lever 176 are loosely connected with the pin 174.

The lever 176 is connected with a switch segment 177 which actuates a lever 178. The lever 178 which is engaged by a spring, has a guide lever 179 which sets the switch arm 180 of a switch used to switch on and off the electromotor 181. The lever 179 is pivotally connected with a Y-shaped lever 182 having a hook-shaped arm 183 which is adapted to engage a part 184 of a cam 185 mounted upon the main shaft 163 of the machine. The other arm 186 of the Y-shaped lever 182 cooperates 'with a roller 187 rotatably mounted upon the cam 185.

The switch segment 177 is also connected to a connecting rod 188 which drives a connecting rod 190 through an angular lever 189.

The rod 190 is actuated by a hook-shaped lever 191 having a curved arm 192 which can be engaged by a roller 193. The roller 193 is rotatably mounted upon a gear wheel 194 which is also mounted upon the main motor shaft 163. The motor 181 carries a pinion 195 which is in operative connection with the gear wheel 194 through an intermeshing gear drive 196, 197, 198, 199, 200 and 201. The cam 202 fixed upon the gear wheel 200 cooperates with a stop 203 of the lever 178.

As soon as the switch segment 172 is released by the shaft 170, the switch segment 177 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring 175 and releases the lever 178, whereby its guide lever 179 switches on the motor 181 and thus moves the lever 182 into a releasing position.

The lever 191 is rotated clockwise at the Same time so that its curved arm 192 is moved into the path of the roller 193. After the main machine shaft 163 has turned about 300, the roller 187 pushes the arm 186 of the lever 182 downwardly (looking in the direction of FIG. 14) so that the motor 181 is switched off and the lever 178 is moved out of reach of the switching segment 177. Shortly thereafter the roller 193 actuates the lever 191 which moves the switch segments 172 and 177 into their locking position. The stops 184 and 203 stop the main machine shaft 165 after a complete revolution.

These parts and their operation are fully described in Patent No. 3,181,784.

The differential mechanism 96 (FIG. includes a toothed segment 97 meshing with a gear wheel 98 rotatably mounted upon an axle 99 and connected by rivets with a driving disc 100 constituting a part of a device selecting the types of operations. The disc 100 actuates a roller 101 carried by an angular testing lever 102 which is rotatably mounted upon the axle 88 and which has an arm 103 carrying a pin 104 which is engaged by a suspended pulling spring 105. The pin 104 is also engaged by another spring 106 which is attached to an arm 107 of a locking lever 108. The lever 108 has an outer surface 109 which remains in engagement with the pin 104. The bent end 110 of the lever 108 is adapted to engage the stops 90, 111 and 112 of the switch slide 91.

The setting of the slide 91 to the automatic means providing various operations and to the differential mechanism 96 operating the selectors for the calculating device, as well as the operation of these devices, are well known in the art. They are described at length in aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 3,181,784.

The amount and value keys 3 located in the key banks 2 (FIG; cooperate in a conventional manner with arresting and blocking sliders 231 and 232 as well as with a dilferential mechanism slider 233 which is connected by means of a link 234 with a feeler of sensing lever 235 of the differential mechanism 236, which is appropriate to the differential mechanism 96 (FIG. 10), whose construction and performance are generally known and are described, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,066,861 and 3,076,595. A pull rod 237 is linked to the sensing lever 235 and serves for adjusting the adjusting segment 238. The adjusting segment 238 is operatively connected by a rod 239 with two other adjusting segments 240 and 241. The adjusting segments 238,

240 and 241 provided with peripheral teeth, are brought into engagement with the associated adding or totalizing mechanisms 242 to 245 for transferring values by means of a computing mechanism selecting device (not shown) described in U.S. Patent No. 3,301,478 to G. Becker. The adding mechanism 242 is selected by the control key 9, the adding mechanism 243 is selected by the control key 10 and the control keys 11 and 12 control the adding mechanisms 244 and 245. As stated above, a more detailed description of the adding and totalizing mechanisms 242 to 245 may be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,301,478.

A link 246 is pivotally attached to the difierential mechanism 236 for driving a lever 247. An extension 248 is provided on the linkage 246 and carries a pin 249 engaging in the contact arm 250 of a rotary selector switch 251 provided with contacts 252, which control a known, not illustrated hole-perforating device.

The drive for the differential mechanism 236 coordinated with the individual decades is provided by a respective pair of cam discs 253, 254 secured to the main shaft 163 of the machine by means of follower members (not shown) in a conventional manner.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, the differential mechanisms 96 and 236, respectively, of the rows 2 and 4 are provided with toothed sectors 97 and 210, respectively, meshing with gears 98 and 211, respectively, which are fixed to tubular shafts 99 and 212, respectively, which are telescoped one within the other and which lead to the printing mechanism DR, shown in FIG. 16. In the printing mechanism DR there are gears 214 which are fixed to the tubular shafts 99 and 212, respectively, and which serve to set the type-carrying printing wheels 215 and 216. Printing hammers 217 and 218 co-act with the printing type wheels 215 which produce simple printing and with the print type wheels 216 which produce mechanically readable special printing, these hammers being controlled in a known way. Beneath the printing type wheels 215 and 216, there is a special inked tape 219 which during the printing operations unwinds from a supply spool 220 and is wound into a take-up spool 221. The printing type wheels 222 serve to mark the control tape 223 which is taken from a supply roll 224 through a guide 225 to the type wheels 222, a conveying device 226 leading the tape 223 to the take-up roll 227. The feeding of the tape strip 223 is brought about by means of supply teeth 228 of a supply wheel 229 from the supply desk, illustrated in FIG. 1 or the tag strip may be supplied from the exterior of the machine in any other manner. A cutting device 230 separates the individual tags 23 from each other during the issue thereof from the machine.

A machine run may be released by actuation of one of the keys 5 to 12 (FIG. 2) or the magnet 42 (FIG. 8), or the counter 14 (FIG. 11), or the disc (FIG. 10). One of the control brackets 77, 78, 79 or 80 swings the stop member 171 out of the path of the releasing segment 172 so that the releasing segment 172 turns counterclockwise about the pivot 173 under the action of the pull spring 175. During this turning motion, the control segment 177 and the releasing shaft 68 connected therewith likewise turn in the same sense and block the stop sliders 231, 232 (FIG. 15) of all key banks. While the control segment 177 is being swung out, the lifting rod 188 turns the angular lever 189 clockwise. This movement of angular lever 189 is transmitted by the pusher rod 190 to the clearing lever 191 which is turned clockwise, thus placing the hook-shaped stop 192 into active position. The latch lever 178 is moved abruptly by spring power out of the catch recess 203 of the coupling, since the latch lever 178 is no longer retained by the control segment 177. The stop of lever 178 hits against a stop and the roller of lever 178 catches behind the control segment 177 and prevents its return motion. Consequently the coupling is now active. The pusher rod 179 transmits the motion of the latch lever 178 to the threearmed control lever 182 and, by means of the switching lever 180, simultaneously causes the drive motor 181 to be switched on. The control lever 182 turns clockwise. The latch arm 183 releases the machine main shaft 163, and arm 186 moves to its working position. Now the motor 181, acting through the transmission gears 195 to 201 and 194, drives the machine main shaft 163 counterclockwise to carry out a machine run.

At the beginning of the machine run the differential mechanisms 236 (FIG. correlated to the amount key rows 2, scan the setting of the amount keys 3 by means of the bank sliders 233 and correspondingly adjust the control segments 238, 240, 242 of the respective computer mechanisms.

The simultaneously starting differential mechanism 96 for the selector row 4 actuates the pull rod (FIG. 13) and thereby turns the driving segment whose pinion 141 makes the coupling connection between the adjusting segments 238, 240 and 241 and one of the adding mechanisms 242, 243, 244 or 245.

When the bank-slider 91 in mode-control row 4 is being released, the above-mentioned adding, subtotalizing or totalizing machine run is released by means of the control segment 177 (FIG. 14) under control by the bridge members 77 to 90. As a result, the control slider 91 (FIGS. 10 and 13) is displaced by the differential mechanism 96 of the mode-control row 4.

During the starting interval of the differential mechanism 96 of the mode-control row 4, one of the noses 90, 111, 112 of the bank-slider 91 (FIG. 10) runs in front of the stop 89 or 110 of the swung-in control members 87 or 108. Simultaneously, the differential mechanism 96, acting through the gear segment 140 (FIG. 13) and the spur gear 142, turns the control segment 144 counterclockwise and the feeler pin of feeler lever 146 moves the shaft to one of the three positions shown by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 13. The shaft 150 thus establishes a coupling engagement with one of the cam pairs 164, or 166 on main shaft 163. During the further course of the same machine run, the coupled cam pair acts upon the coupled adding mechanisms 242, 243, 244, 245 in accordance with the mode adding, subtotal or total."

As shown in FIG. 11, the blocking device is also provided with a blocking segment 113 having a tooth 114 cooperating with the switch element 79. A pin 115 connects the segment 113 with a link 116 which is connected with a lever 118 fixed upon a shaft 117. Another lever 119 (FIG. 11a) to which a spring is attached is also fixed upon the shaft 117 and is provided with three projecting teeth 120. Each of the teeth 120 cooperates with a separate actuating disc 121. The discs 121 are connected by rivets 122 with corresponding counting gears 123 (FIG. 11b). The gears 123 are a part of the above I described counter 14 having three positions. FIG. 11b illustrates the zero position of the gears 123 in which the tooth 114 blocks the switch element 79 (FIG. 11). The counting procedure for the individual machine operations, as shown in FIG. 11, is as follows: each of the manually set gears or counting wheels 123 of the counter 14 shown in FIG. 1, is connected with an actuating disc 121 which cooperates with a tooth or feeler member 120. In the course of each printing operation of a label 23, the preset counter 14 is moved back to the extent of one unit until it reaches the zero position and then locks the machine by means of the blocking segment 113. As already stated, the printing takes place by means of the printing device DR (FIG. 1) and the labels are introduced into the machine in finished condition (FIGS. 1 and 6) are already provided with unchanging information in printed form. The machine merely prints variable information in corresponding locations.

The purpose of the blocking device is to stop the motor drive of the machine when operational requirements for I 8 the end of one or several machine operations have been completed, namely, when one of the switch or release elements 77 to 88 is not locked by a blocking segment and therefore can be set. When a switch element is set, the driving motor is supplied with voltage until the machine operation is completed.

The blocking device can release machine operations for additions, intermediate and final summational machine operations. In accordance with the present invention, the operating function of the manual actuating means is combined with the supplying devices 19' to 21, shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, which determine the type of operation .of the machine and the selection of machine operations per label and, furthermore, in combination with the counter 14 determine whether a single machine operation or a predetermined number of machine operations with automatic release are to be carried out. FIG. 10 shows that the switch slide 91 can be held in several positions. A predetermined type of operation can correspond to each separate position of this switch slide 91 which cooperates with the switching device 96 constructed as a coupling. When the operation is addition the amounts are taken from the key bank, one or several calculating devices are selected, the taken amounts are added and imprinted and, if necessary, further functions, such as counter setting, etc., are provided. For suband total machine operations, the amounts are taken from an adding device for treatment and are again introduced in the same machine operation. In total machine operations, the actuated adding or calculating devices are set back to zero.

The label supplying device 19 is used for the treatment of individually supplied single labels 22. However, the machine of the present invention provides two other supplying devices 20 (FIG. 4) and 21 (FIG. 5) for the treatment of series of labels 23 which can be introduced as perforated strips in a rolled up form or in a so-called leporello package and which consist of several sections subdivided by perforations.

The continuous printing process in the course of which the labels 23 are continuously supplied is actuated by the switch slide 91. This operation is released by the key *5. In the course of the first operation of the machine the slide 91 is held in the position 11 in which the first printing takes place. Thereupon the label is further moved to the extent of a switching step, namely, to the extent of the width of a label. Then automatically a second machine operation is released by the use of the counter gear 123 and the connected blocking segment 113 (FIGS. 10 and 11) whereby the driving disc 100 by means of its stop 111) stops the slide 91 in the position 10 so that new printing with the following step movement take place. The disc 100 is so constructed that thereupon the slide 91 is held automatically in positions 9 and 8. After the completion of the fourth printing, -the first four-part label is produced and the machine starts in position 11 the first printing upon the second label, etc. These operations are repeated automatically until either the counter moves to zero or until the roll of labels is exhausted so that a new one must be inserted. In the case of labels which are imprinted only twice (so-called two-part labels), the supplying device 20 provides the stop in the position 9.

FIG. 12 shows that the supplying device 20 also includes a stop 124 with a guiding surface 125 terminating in a notch 126 used for the roller 51. However, as compared to the supplying device 19, the supplying device 20 guides the labels 23 from left to right (looking in the direction of FIG. 12) in a continuous process. For that purpose the printed label strips are provided with perforations 127 which are engaged by projections of a transporting roller 229 (FIG. 16). This roller is turned to the necessary extent during each operation of the machine and thus provides automatic transportation. When 9 the supplying device 20 is inserted, the guiding surface 125 shifts the roller 51 from the position E to the position C (FIG. 10).

The supplying device 21 shown in FIG. is provided with two opposed guiding surfaces 128 and 129 terminating in a notch 130. The notch 130 corresponds to the intermediate position R of the roller 51 (FIG. The removal of the introduced guiding device takes place by means of a locking pin 131 (FIG. 1) or a stop device (not shown).

It should be also noted that the row of actuating keys 4 is combined with a key slide which is known per se and which is connected by a link with a blocking segment providing a release of machine operations initiated by actuation of keys 5 to 12 (FIG. 2).

The operating disc 100 (FIG. 10) is so constructed that the stop .110 of the lever 108 can hold the slide 91 in positions indicated as 8, 9 and 10, depending on the setting. Furthermore, the slide 91 can be held by the shafts of the keys 6 to 12 in any of the positions designated as "1 to 7.

In the positions 9 and 11 the supplying devices and 21 determine the holding of the slide 91 while the position 10 is provided for the supplying device 19. The disc 100 is of such shape that when the slide 91 stops, it continuously actuates in decreasing sequence ll, 10, 9, 8, ll As already stated, the release of the machine operations for single labels 22 takes place by the magnet 42 which is excited for a short time when the label 22 is inserted. In case of successive machine operations which treat a roll of several labels 23, the first machine operation is released by the key 5 while the other machine operations are released by the counter 123 (FIG. 11) by means of the segment 113. In the case of single labels the first label is printed in the slide position 11. Then the machine stops. The second printing takes place in the position 10, the third in the position 9 and the fourth in the position 8. For the fifth label the slide is held again in the position 11. In case of labels 23 which are consecutively printed in two locations, the stop 89 of the lever 87 (FIG. 1'0) holds the slide in the position 9 so that in the following operation the position 8 is assumed when there are four printings, they start with the upper position 11.

If necessary, each of the eleven positions, which is the maximum number of positions, can correspond to a specific type of operations, calculating means can be selected and specific printing and transporting operations of the introduced sheets can be chosen.

By way of example, the first printing of the introduced label can take place in position 9 by the printing means DR. Then the switched on counter 14 is moved back by one unit, the corresponding counting means are switched on, the current numeral is printed and is set further by a unit and, possibly, one of the piece counters 133 is switched on. In the position 8 the second printing takes place. In the position 11 the first printing is repeated upon a different section of the inserted label series 23, but without influencing the counter 14 of the calculating means, or the device for printing the current numeral, etc. Finally, in the position 10 the second printing takes place.

As distinguished from the supplying device 21, the supplying device 20 actuates the switch 85 which operates the perforating device and which holds the slide 91 in the position 9 in which the calculating means are switched on and the counters are correspondingly adjusted, whereby during the following operation in case of label series the position 9 is set automatically.

The switch element 80 which is used to release the first machine operation, is normally locked by the blocking segment 46 (FIG. 8) which again assumes the locking position after the termination of this machine operation. The switch element 77 which is used to release the first machine operation when series of labels 23 are being treated, is released after the introduction of the supplying device 20 or 21 by the blocking segment 71 (FIG. 10) and the simultaneous actuation of the release key '5 by means of a blocking segment actuated by the row 4 of actuating keys. After this machine operation is terminated the switch element is locked again. When a single label is introduced into the supplying device 19, the switch element 78 (FIG. 8) is released by the blocking segment 46. However, the switch element 78 is locked by the supplying devices 20 and 21. The switch element 79 is locked by the supplying device 19 and is released by the supplying devices 20 and 21 as well as by the switched on counter 14. In order to prevent the switch element 79 from falling off, the slide 91 actuates in its position 9 a further blocking segment which releases the switch element 79 only at the end of the first machine operation. This releasesan automatic machine operation for carrying out second printing, etc. A pawl holds this blocking segment in the inoperative position until it is raised by the counter 14 in the zero position, so that the blocking segment can again assume its locking position. The above-mentioned pawl can be also raised by the switch lever 13 so as to stop the machine without actuation of the counter 14.

As has been described above, the operations of the machine for treating a single label 22 are released by the label itself; the first machine operation for carrying out the first printing being released by the magnet 42 which switches on the calculating works and the counter 133 (FIG. 1) and, if required, causes the printing of the current number. When labels 22 are used the slide 91 assumes initially the position 11 while with the following label it assumes the position 10, whereby each introduced label releases each single machine operation.

Series of labels 23 supplied in rolled up form which are provided with four lines for printing, are treated after the introduction of the supplying device 21 when the first machine operation is released by the release key 5 which releases the switch element 77. During this machine operation, the slide 91 moves into the position 11 (first printing) and then releases further machine operations, whereby the slide 91 then moves automatically sequentially into the positions 10 (second printing), 9 (third printing) and 8 (fourth printing) and repeats these movements starting again with position 11 until the counter 14 moves to zero.

When the supplying device 20 is inserted for use with series of labels 23 having two lines for printing, during the first machine operation the position 9 (first printing) is assumed and during the second machine operation the position 8 (second printing) is assumed. These operations are also repeated until the counter moves to zero or until the label band is exhausted.

The supplying devices 20 and 21 also differ from each other by different sizes of cut-out portions 24 and 25. This makes it possible, if necessary, to cover up a part of the printing hammers if this is necessary for the label being produced. The supplying devices 20 and 21 can also diifer from each other in that the guides for supplying labels of difierent widths can be adapted to the sizes of labels being used. These constructions make it possible to use the labeling machine for treating labels of different sizes and different types of printing without making any struc tural changes in the machine. The labels being treated can consist of one part, two parts or four parts, since by suitable actuation of the operating disc it is possible to actuate one hundred single or consecutive machine operations.

It is thus apparent that the counter 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 is intended only for the labels 23 (FIG. 12), while the counter 133 (FIG. 1) takes over the counting of labels 22. The counter 14 is set to a certain number of labels and runs backwards to zero, while the counter 133 starts with zero and runs forward. It should be also noted that the insertion of a label 22 (FIG. 6) starts the operation of the machine. On the other hand, when a roll of 1 l labels 23 (FIG. 12) is to be printed, the first operation of the machine is released by the key 5 (FIG. 2) and the other operations are released automatically by the switch element 79 (FIG. 11) which is released by the segments 71 and 113 (FIGS. 8 and 10).

It is apparent that the example described above has been given solely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that it is capable of many variations and modifications which are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A labelling machine for producing single labels and series of labels, said machine comprising a casing, a plurality of keys mounted upon said casing, said keys including value-indicating keys and selecting keys, selectively operable adding mechanisms, a printing mechanism having printing wheels and printing hammers cooperating with said printing wheels for imprinting single labels or series of labels, a supply wheel having teeth engaging and moving said series of labels step by step; a drive comprising a toothed sector, a gear meshing with said toothed sector, a shaft connected with said gear, means connecting said toothed sector with one of said value-indicating keys and means connecting said shaft to said printing wheels; another drive comprising a slider, a sensing lever, a link connecting said slider with said sensing lever, a pull rod linked to said sensing lever and an adjusting segment operatively connected with said sensing lever and one of said adding mechanisms, two other adjusting segments, a rod connecting the first-mentioned adjusting segment with said two other adjusting segments, said two other adjusting segments being connected to separate adding mechanisms; a diiferential mechanism comprising a toothed segment, means driving said toothed segment, a differential slide, means operatively connecting said toothed segment with said differential slide and means operatively connecting said differential slide with said selecting keys; a device selecting the type of operations and comprising a driving disc, a testing lever operatively connected with said driving disc, means operatively connecting said driving disc with said slide, whereby said slide is stopped in one of a plurality of positions, an operational curved disc for the addition operation, another operational curved disc for intermediable sum operation, yet another operational curved disc for the final sum operation, means operatively connecting the three operational curved discs with said adding mechanisms, a further curved disc, means operatively connecting said testing lever with said further curved disc, means selectively operatively connecting said further curved disc with the three operational curved discs, electrical driving means operatively connected with said driving disc and including a blocking segment, a removable and replaceable supplying device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, a manually operable and adjustable releasing device for releasing one or several machine operations, means operatively connecting said releasing device with said label supplying device, a blocking device, and means connected with said label supplying device and said differential slide for actuating said blocking device depending upon the positions of said differential slide.

2. A labelling machine for producing single labels and series of labels, said machine comprising a casing, a plurality of keys mounted upon said casing, said keys including value-indicating keys and selecting keys, selectively operable adding mechanisms, a printing mechanism having printing wheels and printing hammers cooperating with said printing wheels for imprinting single labels or series of labels, a supply wheel having teeth engaging and moving said series of labels step by step; a drive comprising a toothed sector, a gear meshing with said toothed sector, a shaft connected with said gear, means connecting said toothed sector with one of said value-indieating keys and means connecting said shaft to said printins: Wheels; another drive comprising a slider, a sensing lever, a link connecting said slider with said sensing lever, a pull rod linked to said sensing lever and an adjusting segment operatively connected with said sensing lever and one of said adding mechanisms, two other adjusting segments, a rod connecting the first-mentioned adjusting segment with said two other adjusting segments, said two other adjusting segments being connected to separate adding mechanisms; a differential mechanism comprising a motor-driven toothed segment, a differential slide, means operatively connecting said toothed segment with said difierential slide and means operatively connecting said differential slide with said selecting keys; a device selecting the type of operations and comprising a driving disc, a testing lever operatively connected with said driving disc, means operatively connecting said driving disc with said slide, whereby said slide is stopped in one of a plurality of positions, an operational curved disc for the addition operation, another operational curved disc for intermediate sum operation, yet another operational curved disc for the final sum operation, means operatively connecting the three operational curved discs with said adding mechanisms, a further curved disc, means operatively connecting said testing lever with said further curved disc, means selectively operatively connecting said further curved disc with the three operational curved discs, electrical driving means operatively connected with said driving disc and including a blocking segment, a removable and replaceable supplying device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, a manually operable and adjustable releasing device for releasing one or several machine operations, means operatively connecting said releasing device with said label supplying device, blocking devices for the blocking of labels, an adjustable lever connected with said blocking devices and adjustable to a plurality of positions, means connecting said adjustable lever with said releasing device, a locking lever, means connecting said locking lever with said adjustable lever and means operatively connecting said adjusting lever with said difierential slide, the position of said slide determining the type of operation.

3. A labelling machine for producing single labels and series of labels, comprising a casing, a plurality of keys mounted upon said casing, said keys including valueindicating keys and selecting keys, selectively operable adding mechanisms, a printing mechanism having printing wheels and printing hammers cooperating with said printing wheels for imprinting single labels or series of labels, a supply wheel having teeth engaging and moving said series of labels step by step; a drive comprising a toothed sector, a gear meshing with said toothed sector, a shaft connected with said gear, means connecting said toothed sector with one of said value-indicating keys and means connecting said shaft to said printing wheels; another drive comprising a slider, a sensing lever, a link connecting said slider with said sensing lever, a pull rod linked to said sensing lever and an adjusting segment operatively connected with said sensing lever and one of said adding mechanisms, two other adjusting segments, a rod connecting the first-mentioned adjusting segment with said two other adjusting segments, said two other adjusting segments being connected to separate adding mechanisms; a differential mechanism comprising a motordriven toothed segment, a differential slide, means operatively connecting said toothed segment with said differential slide and means operatively connecting said differential slide with said selecting keys; a device selecting the type of operations and comprising a driving disc, a testing lever operatively connected with said driving disc, means operatively connecting said driving disc with said slide, whereby said slide is stopped in one of a plurality of positions, an operational curved disc for the addition operation, another operational curved disc for intermediate sum operation, yet another operational curved disc for the final sum operation, means operatively connecting the three operational curved discs with'said adding mechanisms, a further curved disc, means operatively connecting said testing lever with said further curved disc, means selectively operatively connecting said further curved disc with the three operational curved discs, electrical driving means operatively connected with said driving disc and including a blocking segment, a removable and replaceable supplying device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, a manually operable and adjustable releasing device for releasing one or several machine operations, means operatively connecting said releasing device with said label supplying device, blocking devices for the blocking of labels, means operatively connecting said blocking devices with said label supplying device, means operatively connecting said blocking devices with said differential slide for moving said dilferential slide into a plurality of positions, said releasing device comprising a plurality of segments, and separate levers connected with each segment, an electromagnet, means operatively connecting said electromagnet with one of said separate levers for moving the segment connected with said one lever to a releasing position, a switch operatively connected with said electromagnet and adapted to be actuated by a label, a counter, an actuating disc, means operatively connecting said counter with said actuating disc and with another one of said separate levers for setting the segment connected with said other separate lever, and means operatively connecting a third one of said separate levers with the means connecting the blocking device with the label supplying device.

4. A labelling machine for producing single labels and series of labels, said machine comprising a casing, a plurality of keys mounted upon said casing, said keys including value-indicating keys and selecting keys, selectively operable adding mechanisms, a printing mechanism having printing wheels and printing hammers cooperating with said printing wheels for imprinting single labels or series of labels, a supply wheel having teeth engaging and moving said series of labels step by step; a drive comprising a toothed sector, a gear meshing with said toothed sector, a shaft connected with said gear, means connecting said toothed sector with one of said value-indicating keys and means connecting said shaft to said printing wheels; another drive comprising a slider, a sensing lever, a link connecting said slider with said sensing lever, a pull rod linked to said sensing lever and an adjusting segment operatively connected with said sensing lever and one of said adding mechanisms, two other adjusting segments, a rod connecting the first-mentioned adjusting segment with said two other adjusting segments, said two other adjusting segments being connected to separate adding mechanisms; a differential mechanism comprising a toothed segment, means driving said toothed segment, a difierential slide, means operatively connecting said toothed segment with said difierential slide and means operatively connecting said diiterential slide with said selecting keys; a device selecting the type of operations and comprising a driving disc, a testing lever operatively connected with said driving disc, means operatively connecting said driving disc with said slide, whereby said slide is stopped in one of a plurality of positions, an operational curved disc for the addition operation, another operational curved disc for intermediate sum operation, yet another operational curved disc for the final sum operation, means operatively connecting the three operational curved discs with said adding mechanisms, a further curved disc, means operatively connecting said testing lever with said further curved disc, means selectively operatively connecting said further curved disc with the three operational curved discs, electrical driving means operatively connected with said driving disc and including a blocking segment, a device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, said label supplying device being selected from a device supplying individual labels and a device supplying series of labels, a removable and replaceable supplying device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, a manually operable and adjustable releasing device for releasing one or several machine operations, means operatively connecting said releasing device with said label supplying device, blocking devices for the blocking of labels, means connecting said blocking devices with said difierenti-al slide and said releasing device and operable depending as to whether said label supplying device is one for supplying individual labels or one supplying series of labels, the last-mentioned means being actuated by individual labels or a series of labels for releasing single machine operation or a series of machine operations.

5. A labelling machine for producing single labels and series of labels, said machine comprising a casing, a plurality of keys mounted upon said casing, said keys including value-indicating keys and selecting keys, selectively operable adding mechanisms, a printing mechanism having printing wheels and printing hammers cooperating with said printing wheels for imprinting single labels or series of labels, a supply wheel having teeth engaging and moving said series of labels step by step; a drive comprising a toothed sector, a gear meshing with said toothed sector, a shaft connected with'said gear, means connecting said toothed sector with one of said value-indicating keys and means connecting said shaft to said printing wheels; another drive comprising a slider, a sensing lever, a link connecting said slider with said sensing lever, a pull rod linked to said sensing lever and an adjusting segment operatively connected with said sensing lever and one of said adding mechanisms, two other adjusting segments, a rod connecting the first-mentioned adjusting segment with said two other adjusting segments being connected to separate adding mechanisms; a differential mechanism comprising a toothed segment, means driving said toothed segment, a differential slide, means operatively connecting said toothed segment with said differential slide and means operatively connecting said diflerenti-al slide with said selecting keys; a device selecting the type of operations and comprising a driving disc, a testing lever operatively connected with said driving disc, means operatively connecting said driving disc with said slide, whereby said slide is stopped in one of a plurality of positions, an operational curved disc for the addition operation, another operational curved disc for intermediate sum operation, yet another operational curved disc for the final sum operation, means operatively connecting the three operational curved discs with said adding mechanisms, a further curved disc, means operatively connecting said testing lever with said further curved disc, means selectively operatively connecting said further curved disc with the three operational curved discs, electrical driving means operatively connected with said driving disc and including a blocking segment, a removable and replaceable supplying device for supplying labels to said printing mechanisms, a manually operable and adjustable releasing device for releasing one or several machine operations, a counter, a blocking device, means connected With said blocking device, said releasing device, said label supplying device, said device releasing the type of operations and said counter for releasing a series of dilferent machine operations, said diiierential slide being adapted to be alternately stopped in at least two dilferent positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,639,665 5/1953 Lambert (Other references on following page) UNITED 15 STATES PATENTS 3,191,526 Brown 101-235 3181784 Keefe 10167 Goodbar et a1. 10166 Bone et a1. 101-19 5 10168 7 16 6/1965 Ross 101-91 5/1965 Becker 235-2 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

